Exhibition in Okehampton shows proposals for new Business Park

DEVON County Council is to submit a planning application for a 20 acre business park in Okehampton.

The 'Okehampton East Business Park' located to the east of the town aims to create a range of commercial premises along with the creation of around 150 jobs.

Stakeholders and members of the public are invited to view the application at an exhibition on Wednesday 9 April at the Okehampton business support centre from 10:00am until 5:00pm.

Officers from Devon County Council's economic development team will be on hand to talk to visitors and answer any queries.

Exhibition boards and information panels will be left at the centre during the following week for anyone to drop in and see.

The aspiration is to facilitate a suitable space for the creation of high quality business premises.

Cabinet member for Economy and Growth, Andrew Leadbetter says; "Okehampton has had a particularly difficult time in recent years and the impact on employment has been considerable. Interest so far for a business park has been encouraging, both from town itself and further afield.

"The idea here is to stimulate private sector interest and we hope that this will lead to the creation of 150 jobs plus a further 50 or so indirectly."

"We are also keen to support the Okehampton business support centre which offers flexible work space for home-based and mobile workers, business start-ups, freelancers and entrepreneurs."

"This is still fairly early days so we would really encourage people to come along to the exhibition, have a look at the plans and talk to our officers here about the future of the area."

Local Member for the Hatherleigh & Chagford Division, James McInnes said; “I welcome this planning application, we have been waiting for it to come forward. This site needs developing in order to create jobs for the area."

Local member for Okehampton Rural, Kevin Ball says; "I am pleased that we are finally moving with this important project. There are a number of existing businesses who would benefit from the opportunity of being able to move to a larger area.

"Of course I also hope we might attract new business to the area to provide new employment opportunities for local residents."